Donald Bedell, a Rutgers defensive end commit, has led the
Rumson (N.J.) Fair Haven defense throughout the 2013 season with his toughness,
athleticism and strong motor off the edge. The 6-4, 235-pound senior has set
the tone for a defense allowing only 5.5 points per game. The Bulldogs are off
to a 6-0 start and have shown no signs of slowing down, coming off a 42-7
domination of Monsignor Donovan (Toms River, N.J.).

"We're solid all-around right now. We've fought off some
injuries but a lot of the back-ups have really been stepping up," said Bedell,
whose team employs an attacking 4-3 defense. "We just got back our starting
d-tackle. This was his first practice back since week one, today. So our defensive
line is getting stronger. We just got our starting middle linebacker back two
weeks ago, now. So we've been good but we're only gonna get better."

Bedell – who
plays the wide side of the field within a defense that has only given up two
TDs all season – has
multiple responsibilities in the trenches, but also drops back in
coverage on occasion.

"I always set the edge, but they send us on a lot of stunts inside.
But when we are playing base, I'm always containing the outside," he said. "And
when it's pass, I get after the passer. And I make sure nothing gets outside me
in the run game. We also run a few zone blitzes where I have to drop back in
coverage."

Standing 6-4, 235 pounds, Bedell explained his comfort level
covering smaller, more agile athletes across the middle of the field.

"I'm fine with it," he said. "We've been doing it ever since
I was a sophomore, so I'm real comfortable with it now. Our linebackers are
real fast, especially the one on my side. So they are there before the quarterback
can even look up. It's really quick."

Since losing to Matawan (N.J.) in the 2011 NJSIAA Central
Group II sectional finals, Bedell and his explosive defense has strived to
improve to prevent the feeling they had once zeros populated the scoreboard that
day.

"We try to win the state championship every single year. We
went to it my sophomore year and had a heartbreak against Matawan," Bedell said.
"We actually played at Rutgers. It was a 3-0 game. We lost by a field goal, it
was tough."

However, Bedell hopes Rumson's defensive philosophy will
ensure the 2013 version of their offense has plenty opportunities to accumulate
points, if they were to forge their way back to the championship game.
And according to Bedell, paying attention to personal statistics is not part of
his team's championship process.

"My own personal stats, I don't really look at any of that
stuff, to be completely honest," said Bedell. "I just try to focus on every
play by itself."

Conversely, playing team ball is the recipe for success the
Bulldogs have followed throughout the year.

"We play team ball.
We don't really care who makes the play as long as the other team doesn't get
any yards," he said. "We've been really good about that. I was talking to our coach
about what our stats are, And in six games, and we've got well over 30 sacks.

"So we really get after the passer; blitzing, stunting and doing
all that stuff. We put a lot of hard work into our defense."

"We have a great defensive coordinator who has got to be my
favorite coach, coach Schulte,"
said Bedell. "He knows everything when it comes to scheming. So I
thank him for all the success that I've had and obviously what our team has
had."

Bedell stays in contact with Rutgers assistants Jim Panagos
and Joe Rossi. He will take an unofficial visit to Rutgers this Saturday as
the Scarlet Knights host the Temple Owls at High Point Solution Stadium.

The Bulldogs have two obstacles remaining before the
commencement of another playoff run: A Nov. 1 battle against Monmouth Regional
(Tinton Falls, N.J.) and an encounter with Manasquan (N.J.) on Nov. 8.